On the demise of the British pub

[Marco]

Well I'm used to buying decent, well kept beer for no more than £3.30 a pint. Of course there are places that charge more, but even then the beer is good and well served. My complaint was spending a lot on indifferent ale.

It's not well kept because basically they don't give a shit, and clearly aren't targeting regulars, who would drive up standards, but simply tourists and passers by. If it weren't in the middle of a city, it wouldn't last a minute! As I said, no love...

Marco.

[struth]

What about the Irish pub? I don't know how they are these days, but in the last millenium they could be distinguished from the British pub as follows:

a) most bar staff had a proper training in cellar craft and knew how to look after their beers and porters.
b) pubs were a place, by and large, to socialise (i.e. to talk to other human beings).
c) many pubs had staff who would take your order and bring it to you at your table rather than you having to queue up at the bar.
d) many pubs had music but it was often live and informal.

I stopped going to British pubs regularly in the 90s. The main reasons were smokers, fruit machines, and overly loud tvs and jukeboxes. Oh, and crappy overpriced beer too!

Too true. Good Irish pubs especially in Eire are superb

[Barry]

What about the Irish pub? I don't know how they are these days, but in the last millenium they could be distinguished from the British pub as follows:

a) most bar staff had a proper training in cellar craft and knew how to look after their beers and porters.
b) pubs were a place, by and large, to socialise (i.e. to talk to other human beings).
c) many pubs had staff who would take your order and bring it to you at your table rather than you having to queue up at the bar.
d) many pubs had music but it was often live and informal.

I stopped going to British pubs regularly in the 90s. The main reasons were smokers, fruit machines, and overly loud tvs and jukeboxes. Oh, and crappy overpriced beer too!

With the exception of (c), pubs in Britain used to be like that (based on my experience of pubs in Bristol, in Somerset, in Kent, in Lincolnshire, in North Wales, and in Edinburgh, London and Manchester).

I don't know when pubs became invaded by overloud juke boxes, large flat screen TVs and 'theme nights', all IMO to their detriment, but I think that has happened in the last ten years or so. Before then, one could go into a pub and have a good conversation with a total stranger on about just about any subject you liked; and whilst it could become 'lively' it never became rancorous.

[Sherwood]

With the exception of (c), pubs in Britain used to be like that (based on my experience of pubs in Bristol, in Somerset, in Kent, in Lincolnshire, in North Wales, and in Edinburgh, London and Manchester).

I don't know when pubs became invaded by overloud juke boxes, large flat screen TVs and 'theme nights', all IMO to their detriment, but I think that has happened in the last ten years or so. Before then, one could go into a pub and have a good conversation with a total stranger on about just about any subject you liked; and whilst it could become 'lively' it never became rancorous.

I was born and grew up in central London and I can remember this trend starting in the 70s. The decline was led by the widespread adoption of fruit machines and gaming machines, not least the likes of Space Invaders, Meteorites, and Donkey Kong. It was hastened by a lack of quality assurance and basic customer service as many pubs could rely on passing trade rather than a faithful clientele. I think the competition from supermarkets, and more home entertainment options were also killer blows. I experienced a temporary respite from this decline when I was in Yorkshire doing postgrad studies in the mid 80s, although it took a while to adjust to Tetleys after Fullers!

Geoff

[Sherwood]

By way of balance, I should add that there are still a few pubs that I enjoy going to. One of these is the Greystones in Sheffield. http://www.mygreystones.co.uk/

It is a bit of a hike for me, nearly an hour each way by car, but it is a live music venue which attracts some really good performers. Ticket prices are typically around £10 to £15 in a very intimate venue.

The pub serves really good locally brewed Thornbridge beers (Jaipur IPA is a favourite) but I have to content myself with their 2 pint cardboard takeaways because of the drive home.

There are few live sessions during the summer months, but for most of the year there is a very busy live programme.

Geoff

[YNWaN]

There are loads of good pubs in Sheffield.

[Sherwood]

There are loads of good pubs in Sheffield.

In my younger days (mid 1980s) I spent a lot of time in Sheffield providing technical support to the then Trent Regional Health Authority. I used to go to the Leadmill a lot for its great jazz music and very good real ales. I used to stay up in Fullwood during the week. Very beautiful countryside on the edge of the Peak District.

Geoff

[Crackles]

Well I'm used to buying decent, well kept beer for no more than £3.30 a pint. Of course there are places that charge more, but even then the beer is good and well served. My complaint was spending a lot on indifferent ale.

Yeah fair enough, don't disagree. Was just surprised at £4.50 in London because their beer has always been notoriously dearer than the north.

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[Minstrel SE]

I feel some pubs get it right and some just dont. Some are just weird and very clickey for a few locals. I cant put my finger on it...you know what I mean...this pubs a bit shit and I wonder why they are still open. Like the (lazy) owners dont quite know what to do with it or how to play to any strengths

I feel that many pubs deserve to close down. Spoons has the cheapest beer but its like drinking in a school hall

[struth]

I feel some pubs get it right and some just dont. Some are just weird and very clickey for a few locals. I cant put my finger on it...you know what I mean...this pubs a bit shit and I wonder why they are still open. Like the (lazy) owners dont quite know what to do with it or how to play to any strengths

I feel that many pubs deserve to close down. Spoons has the cheapest beer but its like drinking in a school hall

pubs are like forums. need to be run well for them to thrive.